Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Plumbing System

Spring might be the start of warmer weather and longer daylight, but it is also the time of year that you start sprucing up your home. Spring cleaning around the house can entail many different things from getting rid of clutter to giving your plumbing system a good look-over. If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, there are a few ways you can easily improve your plumbing system this weekend.

Here are the best spring cleaning tips for your plumbing system:

Try Out Your Sump Pump

Spring is known as the season that brings on the rain. This is especially true for most of April and May. It might be a good idea to check and see if your sump pump is functioning properly now to ensure that no big problems arise later. A great test for your sump pump is to see how dry it keeps your basement on rainy days.

Stop Leaks Right Away

Not only can leaky faucets cost you money, but they can also be incredibly annoying. Instead of just dealing with leaking and dripping faucets, it is time to fix your leak. The wear and tear that a leak can put on your sink basin and faucet isn’t worth it. Fixing a leak might not be fun, but this is one project you need to take on this spring.

Invest in New Fixtures

Chances are you haven’t splurged for new fixtures or faucets in a long time. Why not give your plumbing system an update with new fixtures that affordable and stylish. You can even purchase more energy efficient fixtures that will help you cut back on your energy bill.

Be Prepared By Installing a Flood Alarm

As a homeowner, you always want to be prepared for the unexpected. Having a flood alarm in your home is a preventative measure you can take to prevent flooding. This type of alarm will sound when it comes into contact with water. This means that you can limit the amount of water damage that occurs in your home.

Check All Outdoor Hoses

It is that time of year again, when you will be watering the flowers and caring for your lawn. This means that you need all of your outdoor hoses to be free of leaks and cracks that might have been left behind by the cold weather. Checking your hose takes a few minutes, but you save you a big hassle later on.

How Water Filters can Make You Healthier

The effects of pollution, heavy rainfall and overcrowding are several reasons why people are very much concern about the quality of the water that is flowing in their faucet. These are also the reasons why people in Knoxville are quite meticulous regarding their tap water. In fact, there is a regulation regarding this issue but the city doesn’t exactly know the essence of this regulation. As for many homeowner deals with this kind of issue, many residents of Knoxville find water filtration system as the best solution. The said systems serve as a good way of providing a better – tasting supply of water and avoid any health risk at the same time. Here are what water filter can provide to save your life.

Water Filter Sanitizes the Inbound Water

The Knoxville residents receive their water from the central supply. Since the regulation is requiring the water (H2O) to be treated and surely tested, it is supposed to guarantee safety. However, these guarantees are not making the residents confident about it. The Trihalomethanes, a term used for describing by-products that are formed when the chlorine is already added to the drinking water. It combines with natural organic particles in the water and can affect health negatively. If you are one of the resident in Knoxville who are being suspicious about water regulation process, filtration system can actually give you the assurance.

By calling in Knoxville for a skilled plumber, they can provide the service for installation in the household system. These skilled plumbers from Knoxville plumbing can actually providing the system both for residential and commercial consumers of clean and safe water.

Water Filter Remove Build Ups within Pipes

Copper Pipes have been commonly used in Knoxville for many decades, this type of piping is becoming suspicious for every home owner. While it stands as a better option for a pipe, it actually corrodes after some years. One thing that water filtration could actually do is to remove worries of homeowners about the corrosion of their copper pipe. The water filtration removes hazardous effect of pipe corrosion to the health of every members of the family.

Water Filtration as Protection from Water Main Breaks

Knoxville is fortunately safe from water main breaks. As a matter of fact, water contamination is considered as one of the main concern when some water main breaks occurred in houses. When the main pipes (providing the water to the community) burst, they may possibly become impure because of debris, oil, and other possible factors that come from the harsh environment. But reverse osmosis or the filter system can ensure dangerous materials to never affect the home tap water.

If you are not aware about this system, be confident to apply it too to your home. Just look for skilled plumbers and let them install the system either on the kitchen, bathroom, and other part of the room that needs it. Knoxville Plumbing can be the best plumbing provider for you.

Dealing with Slab Leaks

Is your water bill steadily rising each month with no sign of an end to this trend in sight? You might have noticed high amounts of water running through walls in your home or become aware of a warm patch on your floor in your living room. An increased heating bill is another warning sign that you may have starting noticing. If any of these situations above sound familiar or apply to your home, it is possible that you may be dealing with a slab leak.

Here are a few of the biggest slab leak warning signs and how that present themselves within your home:

Do You Hear a Running Water Noise?

Are you hearing running water sounds when none should be apparent? Whenever you are hearing the sound of water in your home, that sound has to be coming from somewhere. If you can’t see a leak with your own eyes, chances are that you have a slab leak. A slab leak is not visible to the naked eye, but it can cause disaster to your home if left untouched.

Warm Patches

Another common sign of a slab leak involves the presence of warm patches on the floors throughout your home. If you start to notice these types of patches in your home, it is a good idea to have your home inspected for a slab leak. How water pipes in your home are constantly insulated except for when they are a part of a radiant heating system. A sign that you might have warm patches can be pets.

Cracks on Walls and Flooring

Cracks on your walls and floors can be caused in a variety of different ways, but if you are dealing with increased water in the soil surrounding your home, it is likely that the cracks can be attributed to a slab leak. The water flow from the slab leak causes a vacuum effect over time that results in floor and wall cracks. At the first sign of cracking, you need to take action to determine the problem and rule out a slab leak.

Excessive Moisture

Increased amounts of moisture can also be the result of a slab leak. Water can flow through the leak and lead to increased moisture that turns into mold or mildew. You should always call a trained plumber at the first sign of mold growth within your home.

Why Is My Water Pressure So Low?

Water pressure in your home is strictly regulated by a simple truth; that water flows from higher altitudes to lower altitudes. The water pressure in every tap or shower in your home will depend on the natural flow of water from a storage tank through the pipes to the eventual faucet. The only way you can determine the water pressure other than the natural flow of water is by using air pressure tanks. Unless you have air pressure tanks, you will have to rely on the natural pressure. There are some plumbing fixtures which can increase or reduce the water pressure but they won’t have the capacity or ability to influence the water pressure through the plumbing network. They can only play a role once the water flows into the special faucet or tap system, after which the pressure is controlled, increased or decreased.

You will have low water pressure in your house in certain specific circumstances. You may have very little water in your tank, to the point that it is unable to exert any additional pressure other than gravity pulling the flow of water downwards, to the eventual faucets, showerheads or taps. Or, you may have some problems in the plumbing network that is disrupting the water pressure.

The problem in the plumbing network can be due to leaks or cracks in some pipes, joints or some fissures somewhere. The low pressure may also be due to clogged pipes. Over years of use, pipes can have buildup of sediments. Pipes can corrode and rust, wear down and such obstructions will obviously reduce the water pressure.

It is very difficult for a homeowner to identify these problems without professional help. You may know if a faucet is leaking or if you have some problems with the sink, the flush in the toilet or the showerhead. But you cannot possibly locate a problem in concealed pipes or inside the pipes. That calls for the expertise of a trained and experienced plumber.

You should always get your water pressure checked, ideally much before it begins to become worrying. Leaky pipes, water oozing out from some place that you are not aware of or extremely clogged pipes are not ideal situations for any homeowner. From unclean water to property damage, there can be very serious consequences of not taking low or reduced water pressure seriously enough to call in the experts.

Signs That Your Home Needs to be Repiped

It might not be as easy to spot, but an old rusty pipe in your home can act in much the same manner as thief in the night. This is due to the fact that they burst when you least expect it and cause extensive damage that ravishes your home. You won’t be able to believe your eyes when you see the amount of damage and destruction that a bursting old pipe can do to your home. However, we are a plumbing company that can help you avoid this type of damage and destruction by taking advantage of our repiping services. Repiping projects are quite complex and are best left in the hands of experienced and qualified plumbers that you can count on.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The fact is that your day is pretty jam-packed with important tasks. This means that you have little free time to waste and hardly have a minute to give your pipes an extra thought. However, it is essential that you give your plumbing the attention that it deserves to ensure that you never have to deal with the damage left behind by bursting pipes. Plumbing is a convenience that you likely take for granted and just expect to be at your beckon call. Having a repipe in Knoxville is in the back of your mind.

When you turn on your shower faucet or flush your toilet, you hardly give your plumbing a second thought. However, when your pipes burst in your home you will have to pay attention and act fast. The best way to avoid bursting pipes is to be proactive and look for early warning signs that can help you avoid damage. Paying a little now for plumbing services is preferred to paying a lot later when your pipes actually burst.

Keep A Close Eye On Water Pressure

Water pressure is one of the main warning signs that you should be on the lookout for. If your water pressure becomes low or you notice that the actual color of your water is changing, you need to call on a plumber. If your water starts to look like the color of rust, chances are that your pipes are close to bursting and require immediate attention. If you notice leaky pipes this should also be a red flag. If you simply pay attention and look out for signs of aging pipes, you should be able to catch the problem before they burst.

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Signs Your Home Needs To Be Repiped

Pipes are sturdy installations. They are meant to last for years, unless a compromise had been made initially to install poor quality pipes. Plumbing installations are usually durable if the right brands and specs have been chosen at the right prices. However, everything has a lifespan and that holds true for pipes as well. Pipes are not meant to last forever. While some poor quality pipes may last just a year or few years, most pipes will show signs of ageing after several years. Also, the type of use and other external factors also play a role in determining the life of your pipes.

Ideally, you should attend to the maintenance of all your plumbing fixtures and that should include pipes. If you indulge in regular maintenance, which could be twice a year or at least once a year, then you will be safeguarded against some rude surprises. Else, you can refer to these signs that your home needs to be repiped.

If you find a major leak from any of the pipes in your home, then you obviously need to replace it. You can easily spot such leaks by looking for water damage. A serious leak springing a lot of water will cause damage to your property and that would be very hard to miss. A minor leak will also show signs of water damage or at least buildup of moisture in certain areas of the home which will also be hard to miss. If you find any such signs, then you should not wait any longer. Call an expert and get the pipe or pipes replaced. You should not think of repairing or sealing the leaks in these pipes. Sealing them will be a temporary solution and you will be spending money needlessly without any long term assurance that the leaks won’t recur.

You should keep an eye out for the water pressure in your home. If you see that the water pressure in the faucets or taps and showerheads has reduced substantially, then you may want the pipes to be checked. Leaks in the pipes, buildup of sediments, corrosion and other problems in the pipes can cause a drastic reduction in water pressure. You should also look out for water bursting through the taps in short spells. This also indicates obstructions or air gushing into the pipes, both of which are signs that you need repiping.

Another very helpful sign is colored water or water that tastes different. Buildup of chemicals, rusting, corrosion and sediments of various kinds will cause this problem. Repiping should be a wise choice at such a stage.

Why Install a Water Softener?

If you are tired of dealing with hard water in your home, you can have a water softener installed by a Knoxville plumbing professional that you trust. At first, you might assume that the concept of a water softener is difficult to understand, but it is relatively simple if broken down into basic terms. The fact is that some of the groundwater that flows into your home is filled with dissolved minerals. This type of water is referred to as hard water.

Why Does Hard Water Matter?

When this hard water moves through the pipes in your home it can leave behind mineral deposits of calcium and magnesium in your water supply and even result in scale and lime buildup within your pipes. Having hard water in your home is not ideal and a water softener can get rid of it. If you let your pipes buildup with hard water deposits for too long, you will be left with restricted water flow and low water pressure. This means that the fight against hard water is a battle you want to join.

Why Opt for a Water Softener?

Over time, hard water does not allow soaps and grease to dissolve properly, which can lead to clogged drains. If you are looking to not only preserve your water pressure but also keep your clothes and skin from being washes properly you might want to invest in a water softener. Having a water softener installed in your home allows the amount of lime and scale buildup to be reduced substantially. This means that taking showers and washing your clothes can become so much more enjoyable and less harmful to your pipes and drains. You can count on about 75% reduction of soap use once you invest in a water softener. The lifespan of appliances in your home that function using water will also be extended as a result.

How Does it Work?

A hard water softener is specifically designed to remove certain chemicals from your water. The chemicals that it most commonly removes includes both calcium and magnesium. A water softener works in similar fashion to an air purifier. It uses ion charges to deplete water of these chemicals and keep your water from being identified as hard. Now you water flow should be maintained and you will not have to worry about your water pressure being lowered.

Why Are Your Faucets Dripping?

The water faucets that are featured in your home are pretty basic devices that normally don’t malfunction in any way very often. However, it is likely that some of eth mechanisms within your faucet will begin to age over time and the results is a leaky or dripping faucet that not only gets on your nerves, but also costs you more on utility bills. The cause of your leaking faucet is what results in either an intermittent dripping faucet or a constant dripping faucet. If notice that you have a leaking or dripping faucet, it is important to call on a professional plumber right away to correct the issue. In many instances, eroding connections can be the problem leading to the dripping of water from your faucet.

Does Your Faucet Still Have Washer?

Many old faucets still have a washer mechanism inside that is often the problem causing the dripping. However, new faucets that don’t feature washes can still have other issues. The center cartridge is often what is most susceptible to wear and tear over time and high water pressure only combines to cause more issues. If you are not sure what the cause of your dripping sink is, you should turn to a reliable plumbing professional to get the job done right. Diagnosing the cause of your dripping faucet is just the first step in fixing it correctly.

Defective Parts

Even new faucets can drip or leak due to defective components or connections. This is not normally a common occurrence, but it has been seen before. This means that if you have a new sink that is dripping, you should call on a professional plumber to inspect the components and connections of your faucet to ensure that they are not defective. If you have any defective parts it is important to address these issues right away.

Don’t Wait For The Dripping To Go Away On Its Own

Many people assume that a leaky faucet is not a big deal and simply avoid addressing this issue for long periods of time. However, it is never a good idea to forget about dripping faucets in your home. The issue causing the drip will only worsen with time and cause more extensive damage. If you want the cheapest and easiest fix it is a good idea to call a professional plumber right away to fix your dripping faucet.

Some Homes In Knoxville Needs to be Repiped… Is Your Home One?

They say nothing lasts forever, and the pipes in your home won’t either. Sooner, or later, you may be faced with the question of whether or not to have the pipes, the plumbing, in your house, replaced.

In very old Knoxville homes

The galvanized iron pipes came in nominal lengths and every joint, connection, elbow, or tee, had threads in all the outlets and may very well begin to leak. In addition, iron rusts and often clogs the pipe so you have very little flow.

In newer Knoxville homes

Copper pipe replaced the galvanized iron pipe, and used soldered joints to replace the threaded ones. When properly installed, they should last for the life of the house. However, due to ground settling, earthquakes, remodeling and other unseen happenings, copper pipe and fittings may crack, or a solder joint fail.

When Copper is in Short Supply in Knoxville

Which happens from time to time, various replacement materials, usually plastic have been used. Plastic is also commonly used in mobile homes and RVs.

So, How Do You Know If You Need To Repipe your Home?

Before you face the situation, and have your whole house repiped, do some checking. Are you having more leaks, and have your plumber on speed-dial? Does the water flow slowly and have a weak stream at your faucets? Do your pipes bang when the faucets are shut off? Is there rust in the water? If any, or all, these things are happening to your water system, you may need to have your home repiped.

A Major Job

Repiping a home is a major proposition, so think carefully about the plumber you have do the job. Be sure they are licensed, bonded, and insured. Check with the Better Business Bureau, to see if any complaints have been filed. Ask if you can contact any of their customers.

If the repiping will require walls, ceilings, or floors be removed, or opened up for access, you might want to consider doing a remodeling and rewiring during the same period. That way there is no need for each profession to close up and finish the openings. In addition, a permit will likely be required to do any of the jobs and a contractor can manage the job and coordinate the sub-contractors

When undertaking such a job, we would recommend looking on line to see what Knoxville Plumbing LLC has to offer. http://knowvilleplumbingllc.com

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It is our goal to provide the most innovative and highest quality plumbing services, providing peace of mind for you as our client and us as professionals, while we exceed your expectations of customer service.